Features

The 40 best albums of 2017

Do you have any idea how many records are released in any given year? That’s OK, neither do we. We do know that there are thousands of records that come out every year, from manufactured pop stars to local church choirs, and all of them are hoping to get your attention. So through all the noise, here’s what stood out. Check out our favorite albums from 2017.

"Not only does the album overflow with stick-in-your-head hooks, but it also boasts contemporary production, from sleek digital programming to airy synthesizers, to go along with more traditional band-based instrumentation." —Annie Zaleski

"Straight up? Avenged Sevenfold’s new album is compelling because the SoCal quintet unashamedly continue to embrace their larger-than-life arena-rock ambitions, while genuflecting at the altars of the gods of hard rock and metal before them—on their own terms." —Jason Pettigrew

"Fail You Again has to follow the surprise success of 2016's Death Deserves A Name, and it does so with its production gains and hooks for days. Bitter basement anthems have never sounded this sweet." —Brian Kraus